title: Long-term disease-free survival in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: Twenty-six of 45 adults (58%) with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia who were treated with intensive induction chemotherapy over 5 yr ago entered complete remission. All patients entering remission were placed on weekly maintenance chemotherapy consisting of cytosine arabinoside and 6-thioguanine. The median duration of complete remission was 17 mo and 7 patients (27%) remained in their initial remission for 62 + to 102 + mo. All but one of the patients in complete remission over 5 yr have had treatment discontinued. Only 1 of 7 patients in remission for more than 5 yr has relapsed. Median survival is 26.5 mo, and 8 patients (31%) currently remain alive without evidence of leukemia 63--105 mo from diagnosis. It is possible to achieve long-term disease-free survival with chemotherapy alone in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D013866:Thioguanine; D011241:Prednisone; D003630:Daunorubicin